Overview of Overview of Broadband Technology Broadband Technology

PlatformsPlatformsChris Moore, Deputy Chief Wireless Telecommunications

Bureau

Regional Educational WorkshopOn Rural BroadbandSeptember 18, 2008

Note: The views expressed in this presentation are those of the author and may not necessarily represent the views of the Federal Communications Commission

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Overview Overview Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Cable Broadband ServiceFiberSatelliteFixed Wireless Service - LicensedMobile Wireless Service - LicensedWireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) - Unlicensed Broadband Over Power Lines

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Residential Advanced Services Lines by Technology as of

June 30, 2007

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Digital Subscriber Line Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)(DSL)

Most commonly used by local telephone carriers

Variations: ADSL, VDSL

Up to 7 Mbs download;

1 Mbs upload

Distance dependent

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Cable Broadband ServiceCable Broadband ServiceDeveloped for TV distributionEvolved to provide TV/Data/VoiceUp to 15 Mbs download; 2 Mbs upload Distance independentRegister w/ FCC

Cable Modem

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Hybrid Fiber/Coax (HFC) Hybrid Fiber/Coax (HFC) CATV NetworkCATV Network

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Gigabit Passive Optical Network Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) Fiber to the Home (GPON) Fiber to the Home

ArchitectureArchitectureCentral Office

Typically up to 20 km (28 dB)

Passive Outside Plant

2.5 Gbps @ 1490 nm

1.2 Gbps @ 1310 nm

splitters points

Optional 1,550 nm to support local analog/digital video if required

Softswitch(for voice)

Edge router(data, video)

Optical Line Terminal (OLT)

Single family homes

Multi-dwelling units

Small/medium enterprises

Optical Network Terminal (ONT)

Source: Fiber to the Home Council

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Typical GPON Typical GPON ComponentsComponents

Optical Patch PanelOutside Plant Splitter

Cabinet

Distribution Cable

Drop CableFeeder Cable

Fiber Splice Closures

Optical Taps

Optional Video Amplifier

Optical Line Terminal

Optional Video Coupler for RF overlay

Optical Network Terminals

Central Office Passive Outside Plant (OSP) Subscriber Premise

A single fiber, splitters and subs is the “PON”

Source: Fiber to the Home Council

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SatelliteSatelliteGeos; Non-Geos; Leos

Fixed:– C-band – 4 & 6 GHz– V-Sats – 11 & 14 GHz

Mobile Satellite Service

Satellite advantage: Ubiquitous coverage

Limitation: Foliage, rain, etc. can affect availability

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Mobile Satellite ServiceMobile Satellite ServiceAncillary Terrestrial Ancillary Terrestrial

ComponentComponent

Satellite provides ubiquitous coverage, including rural areas

Terrestrial baseStations providecoverage in areaswhere satellite signalsmay be weak

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Terminus

Fixed Wireless Services - Fixed Wireless Services - LicensedLicensed

Origin

Signals can be carried over great distances

by relaying them over multiple “hops”.

Traditional fixed point-to-point service: Microwave signals are aimed along a narrow path using high-gain antennas.Requires line-of-sightApplications: Communications backbones; studio-transmitter links; cable relay

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Fixed Wireless Services - Fixed Wireless Services - LicensedLicensed

Business Business Access &Access &BackhaulBackhaul

HotspotHotspotBackhaulBackhaul

W-FiW-Fi

802.11802.11

Directly to Directly to Indoor ModemIndoor Modem

Wi-Fi

Examples:

Broadband Radio Service/Educational Broadband Service

Local Multipoint Distribution Service

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Mobile WirelessMobile WirelessBroadband ServiceBroadband Service

The FCC has created multiple mobile radio services suitable for broadband:– Cellular Service– Specialized Mobile Radio Service (SMRs)– Personal Communications Service (PCS)– Advanced Wireless Service (AWS)– 700 MHz (Recently Auctioned)

Technologies: GSM family; CDMA family; planned WiMAXVarious types of service, with data speeds of up to 2 MbsActual speed depends on several factorsAll of the major technologies have developed evolutionary paths to faster data rates

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Wireless Internet Service Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) - Providers (WISPs) -

UnlicensedUnlicensedPart 15 of the FCC rules provides for operation of unlicensed devicesMany kinds of devicesoperate under these low power rules -Wi-FiVarious techniquesare used to enable broadband servicein rural areasData speeds varyThere are thousands of WISPs operatingon an unlicensed basis around the U.S.

Metropolitan, Rural & Community Networks

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Broadband Over Power Broadband Over Power LinesLines

Power Line Interface Device Located In Home

High Voltage Medium Voltage Low Voltage

LV Distribution Transformer

Access BPL

PowerGeneration

Plant Substation

AggregationPoint

Internet

~ MVolts ~ 1kVolts to 40 kVolts ~ 120/240 Volts

RepeaterCoupler

Backhaul Point

(Gateway)

BPL signals are extracted here & converted into/from traditional communication packets for appropriate communication direction

In some Access implementations,these physical links are replaced by wireless links

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Medium Voltage Coupler

Bridge & Control Module

Low-Voltage Distribution Transformer

BPL: Bypassing the BPL: Bypassing the TransformerTransformer

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Thank you!

ConclusionConclusion